Why does he not want the world to be 'overwise' in 'We Wear the Mask'?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an interpretation of a line from the poem 'We Wear the Mask' and why the author doesn't want the world to be 'overwise'. This requires understanding the poem's themes of hidden suffering and the mask people wear to conceal their true feelings.
Answer
The speaker wants to hide suffering from the world, so the world does not deserve to know their anguish.
The speaker in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "We Wear the Mask," does not want the world to be 'over-wise' because they don't want the world to know the extent of their suffering. The mask is used to hide their pain and vulnerability, as they do not want to invite pity from the outside world or for the world to see their anguish.
Answer for screen readers
The speaker in Paul Laurence Dunbar's poem, "We Wear the Mask," does not want the world to be 'over-wise' because they don't want the world to know the extent of their suffering. The mask is used to hide their pain and vulnerability, as they do not want to invite pity from the outside world or for the world to see their anguish.
More Information
The poem explores themes of racial identity and the psychological impact of racism. The mask symbolizes the persona that African Americans were often forced to adopt in order to navigate a hostile and discriminatory society.
Tips
It is a common mistake to assume the speaker is being selfish, but they are protecting themselves from a world that is not safe or understanding.
Sources
- We Wear the Mask by Paul Laurence Dunbar | Summary & Analysis - study.com
- We Wear the Mask: Symbols | SparkNotes - sparknotes.com
- The reasons characters hide their tears in "We Wear the Mask." - enotes.com
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
